Might be an interesting City Council Public Hearing tonight (7pm, Council Chamber, City Hall, 203 S. Farwell Street), as they’re likely to discuss the whole K2 issue.

In case you hadn’t heard, a number of Eau Claire City council members are proposing a citywide ordinance to ban synthetic cannabinoid – aka K2 aka Spice aka Fake Weed aka that stuff that one guy at the bar won’t shut up about. Basically, it’s a bunch of herbs laced with chemicals that’ll treat you a whole lot like marijuana treats you, but it potency can be much higher.

Synthetic cannabinoid is new enough the lawmakers around the country are still figuring out how to regulate it, though it’s banned in some of Europe as have a handful of US states who’ve applied marijuana-style restrictions and penalties (the locally-proposed ordinance does the same). It’s also new enough that people are afraid it might affect your body in ways that are yet to be discovered or documented.

The only thing I find particularly interesting about the entire issue is that we have city council members spending what appears to be a bunch of time on it – it seems like there’s gotta be bigger things to worry about right now in the arena of public health. The proposed ordinance is sponsored by council members Dana Wachs and Jackie Pavelski. Last week, the Leader-Telegram reported that their proposal was altered to allow medical use of the chemicals in question, as they can be used in prescription painkillers.

It’s also interesting that this is starting at the city level because the State Legislature isn’t in session. At any rate, the council could be voting on the proposal tomorrow (Tuesday) so tonight’s hearing is where you can offer your opinion.